© 2026 WEKU
Lexington's Choice for NPR
Support WEKU!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The 1850 campaign is replacing lost federal funds one supporter at a time. Thanks to our listeners and supporters, we are now just 134 away from reaching this goal of 1850 new supporters donating at least $10 a month. Click here to join the campaign!

What Russia's Victory Day parade says about Putin's hold on power

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom
Published May 11, 2026 at 11:53 AM EDT
Servicemen attend the Victory Day military parade marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during the World War II, at the Dvortsovaya (Palace) Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, May 9, 2026 (Dmitri Lovetsky/AP)
Dmitri Lovetsky/AP
Servicemen attend the Victory Day military parade marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during the World War II, at the Dvortsovaya (Palace) Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, May 9, 2026 (Dmitri Lovetsky/AP)

Here & Now‘s Deborah Becker speaks with New School professor Nina Khrushcheva, the great-granddaughter of Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev.

They discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hold on power, four years into a costly war with Ukraine and just a few days after the annual Victory Day parade where, for security reasons, Russia’s military might was displayed on video instead of in the streets.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR
NPR News
Here & Now Newsroom
Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism
WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Contribute now
Related Content